CHURCH AND STATE
Archbishop’s Outline Of Position Id Russia RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 11. , There is no doubt that the Russian Church is increasing in numbers, though the figures of increase are not known, the Archbishop of York, Dr. C. F Gafibett, stated in London today on his return from, a 10-day visit to Russia. Many churches were still used for secular purposes, but the number used, for religious purposes was increasing Dr. Garlbett -told of a congregation of 10,000 in Moscow Cathedral when he attended a three-hour celebration of the Liturgy and of more than that number ab an intercession service two days later. Both were weekday services. He went to a country church on Sunday and found it crowded with peasants. In all the congregations there were many young children. The Archbishop deprecated, however, the use of the term “religious revival.” All through the most difficult times, he said, there had been large numbers who never gave up their faith. Suffering had brought out a latent but deep, religious strain in the Russjan character, but it would be absurd to pretend that this was universal. There were large numbers who conscientiously rejected all belief in God, and the .State was definitely non-religious. Closing of Museums.
Regarding the relation of Church and .State, the Archbishop said the Church, since the revolution, had been disestablished and disendowed and supported itself entirely by voluntary offerings. Church worship was fully allowed, but religion was not taught in the schools. “Anti-religious propaganda has come to an end, though I was. told the Godless societies still exist," he said. “The place which religion has played.in the history of the nation is respeeted’and shown on the screen and the stage. Ridiculing religion is increasingly regarded as bad form, and is discouraged. “The anti-God museums have _ been closed. There is no freedom of religious propaganda, Ibut in Russia all publications are controlled by the State.” The Archbishop mentioned as significant that the Patriarchate had just issued the first number of a religious magazine. It had a circulation of 10,000 and must have had State approval. Dr. Garbett said he considered there were two reasons why (Stalin approved the election of the Patriarch and summoning of the Council of Bishops. Joined National Cause.
. Premier Stalin was a wise statesman, who realized that religion was inherent in the majority of the Russian people. Secondly, the 'Church was no longer a supporter of the old regime. It accepted loyally the present Constitution. _ It had thrown itself, heart and soul, into the national cause. It prayed and worked for victory. It had done this spontaneously the day war was declared. Speaking of the Russian situation generally, he said that 90 per cent, of the adult population was engaged on the war effort. The work hours had been lengthened and holidays shortened. _ Strikes were unknown. The food rations had been cut to a minimum, but children were well cared for.
He added that Russia was a Socialist rather than a Communist State. While the means of production belonged to the State the individual could keep or dispose of his earnings, including houses built on collective farms. “However much we may condemn some methods used during and after the revolution we should now watch with sympathy the working out of the great social and economic experiment, even though we feel much of it is inapplicable to our country,” the Archbishop concluded.
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Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 15, 13 October 1943, Page 5
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572CHURCH AND STATE Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 15, 13 October 1943, Page 5
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